NURSING CARE MANAGEMENT 101

MODULE 1 : lesson 1 Ex: client with DM who has amputation; single parent
mother of a 6 year-old child
ASSESSMENT: An Introduction
Data from nursing assessment can be classified as
• Purpose •Types •Sources
subjective and objective.
INTRODUCTION: ASSESSMENT
Data include:
•the collection of data about an individual’s health
nursing health history
State
physical assessment
• first and most critical phase of the nursing Process
the physician’s history & physical examination
• ongoing and continuous throughout all the phases of
the nursing process results of laboratory & diagnostic tests

• is systematic and continuous collection, validation and material from other health personnel
communication of client data as compared to what is
TYPES OF ASSESSMENT
standard/norm
•Initial comprehensive assessment
PURPOSE:
•Ongoing or partial assessment
•To establish a data base (all the information about the
client) to determine the client’s overall level of •Focused or problem-oriented assessment
functioning in order to make a professional clinical
judgment •Emergency assessment

•To supplement, confirm, or question data obtained in •Time-lapsed assessment

the nursing history INITIAL COMPREHENSIVE ASSESSMENT
• To obtain data that will help the nurse establish Assessment performed within a specified time on
nursing diagnoses and plan patient care admission
•To evaluate the appropriateness of the nursing Involves collection of subjective data about the:
interventions in resolving the patient's identified
pathophysiology problems – client’s perception of his/her health of all body parts
or systems,
•Collect data of patient’s health status, to identify
deviations from normal, to discover the patient’s – past health history,
strengths and coping resources, to point actual – family history, and
problems, and factors that place the patient at risk for
health problem. – lifestyle and health practices (which includes
information related to the client’s overall function) as
•Wholistic data collection. well as objective data gathered during a step-by-step
•Nurse collects physiologic, psychological, sociocultural, physical examination.
developmental, and spiritual data about the client When performed? On the initial contact with the client
•Nurse focuses on how client’s health status affects his • where: hospital, community, clinic or home setting
activities of daily living (ADL) and how the client’s ADL
affect is health. • purpose: to have a baseline comprehensive data
about the client
-Assess how client interact within their family, cultures,
and community and how the client’s health status Ex: nursing admission assessment
affects the family and community
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ON-GOING OR PARTIAL ASSESSMENT •PRIMARY SOURCE •SECONDARY SOURCE

•consists of data collection that occurs after the PRIMARY SOURCE

comprehensive database is established
Data directly gathered from the client using interview
•consists of mini-overview of the client’s body systems and physical examination.
and holistic health patterns as a follow-up on his health
SECONDARY SOURCE
status
These sources offer an analysis or restatement of
When performed? usually whenever the nurse or
primary sources. They often try to describe or explain
another health care professional has an encounter with
primary sources. They tend to be works which
the client
summarize, interpret, reorganize, or otherwise provide
Purposes: Any problems that were initially detected in an added value to a primary source.
the client’s body system or holistic health patterns are
reassessed in less depth to determine any major
changes (deterioration or improvement) from the MODULE 1 : lesson 2
baseline data.
REVIEW OF THE NURSING PROCESS
•Brief reassessment of the client’s normal body system
or wholistic health patterns is performed to detect new A- assessment
problems D- diagnose
FOCUSED OR PROBLEM ORIENTED ASSESSMENT O- outcome identification
Consists of a thorough assessment of a particular health P- planning
problem and does not cover areas not related to the
problem. I- intervention

Purpose: To have a thorough assessment on the special E- evaluation

health concern of the client identified in an earlier What is Nursing Process?
assessment
•Is a critical thinking process that professional nurses
When performed?: performed when a comprehensive use to apply the best available evidence to caregiving
database exists for a client and he/she comes to the and promoting human functions and responses to
health care agency with a special health concern. health and illness (American Nurses Association, 2010)
EMERGENCY ASSESSMENT •Nursing process is a systematic method of providing
a very rapid assessment performed in a life threatening care to clients.
situations. rapid assessment done during any •The nursing process is a systematic method of planning
physiologic/physiologic crisis of the client to identify life and providing individualized nursing care.
threatening problems.
Purposes of Nursing Process
Purpose: to determine the status of the client’s life-
sustaining physical functions. •To identify a client’s health status and actual or
potential health care problems or needs.
TIME-LAPSED ASSESSMENT
•To establish plans to meet the identified needs.
Reassessment of client’s functional health pattern done
several months after initial assessment to compare the • To deliver specific nursing interventions to meet those
client’s current status to baseline data previously needs.
obtained.
Components of Nursing Process
SOURCES OF DATA
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ASSESSMENT •Diagnosis is the second phase of the nursing process.
In this phase, nurses use critical thinking skills to
Is a continuous, systematic collection, validation and
interpret assessment data to identify client problems.
communication of client data.
•North American Nursing Diagnosis Association
ASSESSMENT IS CONTINUOUSLY UPDATED!!!
(NANDA) define or refine nursing diagnosis.
Steps in the assessment phase of the nursing process:
•The nursing diagnosis describes only problems that can
1. Establish a data base by be handle by nurses.

a. Taking the client’s vital signs •The nursing diagnosis describes a human response

b. Performing a head to toe examination •The nursing diagnosis differs from the medical
diagnosis, but should complement it.
c. Taking a complete nursing history
•The official NANDA definition of a nursing diagnosis is:
d. Reviewing the client’s chart & the literature “a clinical judgment concerning a human response to
e. Consult with the client, his significant others health conditions/life processes, or a vulnerability for
that response, by an individual, family, group, or
2. Constantly update the data base to reflect client community.”
changes
The status of nursing diagnosis are actual, health
3. Validate all data 4. Communicate the data promotion and risk:
ASSESSMENT TAKES PLACE IN ALL REALMS: PHYSICAL, 1. An actual diagnosis is a client problem that is present
MENTAL, EMOTIONAL, CULTURAL, SPIRITUAL AND at the time of the nursing assessment.
SOCIO-ENVIRONMENTAL!!!
2. A health promotion diagnosis relates to clients’
TYPES OF NSG. ASSESSMENT: preparedness to improve their health condition.
1. Initial Comprehensive Assessment 3. A risk nursing diagnosis is a clinical judgement that a
2. Ongoing or Partial Assessment problem does not exist, but the presence of risk factors
indicates that a problem may develop if adequate care
3. Focused or Problem Oriented Assessment is not given.
4. Emergency Assessment Components of a NANDA nursing diagnosis:
Types of Data Two types: 1. The problem and its definition- describes the client’s
health problem
1. Subjective data: also referred to as symptoms or
covert data, are clear only to the person affected and 2. The etiology- identifies causes of the health problem
can be described only by that person. Itching, pain, and
feelings of worry are examples of subjective data. 3. The defining characteristics- are the clusters of signs
and symptoms that indicate the presence of health
2. Objective data: also referred to as signs or overt problem.
data, are detectable by an observer or can be measured
or tested against an accepted standard. They can be Steps in making the nursing diagnosis:
seen, heard, felt, or smelled, and they are obtained by 1. Interpret and validate client data; analyze all data
observation or physical examination. For example, a
discoloration of the skin or a blood pressure reading is 2. Identify the client’s problems (and strengths)
objective data. 3. Formulate and validate the nursing diagnoses, both
actual and potential

DIAGNOSIS
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4. Prioritize a lists of appropriate nursing diagnoses (no PLANNING
client has only one problem in only one realm.)
• Planning involves decision making and problem
Writing the nursing diagnoses: in 3 steps solving.

1. The problem statement (NANDA) ie: Constipation • It is the process of formulating client goals and
designing the nursing interventions required to prevent,
2. The etiology (cause of the problem) ie: Related to
reduce, or eliminate the client’s health problems.
(R/T) low residue diet and lack of exercise
PLANNING (TO END, HEAL OR OVER- COME THE
3. The evidence for the problem: As evidenced by (AEB)
PROBLEMS IN THE PROBLEM STATEMENTS OF THE
no stool for five days
NURSING DIAGNOSES)
Putting it all together: Constipation, R/T low residue
1. Establish priorities (most life threatening or
diet and lack of exercise As evidence By no stool for five
disturbing first)
days.
2. Select and write down (in cooperation with the client)
Actual pain related to abdominal surgery as evidenced
the goals which are also known as expected outcomes =
by patient discomfort and pain scale
goals.
Differentiating nursing diagnosis from medical
EXPECTED OUTCOMES (GOALS) MUST ALWAYS BE
diagnosis:
DATED OR TIMED!!!
•A nursing diagnosis is a statement of nursing judgment
GOALS MUST BE REALISTIC (in terms of the client’s
that made by nurse, by their education, experience, and
potential for achieving them & the nurse’s ability to
expertise, are licensed to treat.
help the client achieve them.)
•Nursing diagnoses describe the human response to an
GOALS SERVE AS GUIDES IN SELECTING NURSING
illness or a health problem.
INTERVENTIONS. GOALS ARE ALWAYS STATED
•Nursing diagnoses may change as the client’s BEGINNING WITH “CLIENT WILL”
responses change.
ie: By Sept. 17, client will state what high fiber foods he
•A medical diagnosis is made by a physician. prefers

•Medical diagnoses refer to disease processes. By Sept. 18, client will eat one high fiber food with each
meal
•A client’s medical diagnosis remains the same for as
long as the disease is present. By Sept. 17, client will walk length of hall tid with
assistance
Nursing VS Medical
TYPES OF PLANNING
Ineffective breathing pattern (nursing)
1. Initial planning: planning which is done after the
Asthma (medical) initial assessment.
Activity intolerance (nursing) 2. Ongoing planning: it is a continuous planning.
Cerebrovascular accident (medical) 3. Discharge planning: planning for needs after
Acute pain (nursing) discharge.

Appendicitis (medical) Planning process Planning includes:

Disturbed body image (nursing) •Setting priorities

Amputation (medical) •Establishing client goals/desired outcomes

•Selecting nursing interventions and activities

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•Writing individualized nursing interventions on care •Technical skills refer to the performance of procedures
plans. and the use of equipment and materials competently
and proficiently. (Practice makes perfect!)
INTERVENTION
Nursing interventions can be:
NURSING INTERVENTIONS (ALSO CALLED
IMPLEMENTATIONS) 1. DEPENDENT ie: giving the patient a medication (the
nurse is dependent on the physician to write the
NURSING INTERVENTIONS MAKE THE CLIENT GOALS
medication order.)
COME TRUE!!
2. COLLABORATIVE ie: consulting with a colleague
NURSING INTERVENTIONS ALWAYS ARE STATED
“NURSE WILL”!! such as a dietician, physical therapist or another

ie: Nurse will consult with the client, dietician, and nurse before taking action.
physician regarding upgrading client’s diet to a high
3. INDEPENDENT ie: when the nurse takes action alone,
fiber diet.
such as starting oxygen on a client who has become
Nurse will walk with client, assisting and supporting cyanotic or beginning one man rescue CPR.
him, the length of the hall tid.
EVALUATION
IMPLEMENTATION IS THE ACTION PHASE OF THE
The last phase of the nursing is EVALUATION. Our
NURSING PROCESS (when the nurse does something
patients goals and nursing actions are useless if we are
with, to, or for the client)
not constantly evaluating whether or not they are
•All actions (interventions) planned for the client must making any headway in returning the client to health
be based on scientific principles and rationale. and functioning.

•Interventions are based on the least amount of EVALUATION MEASURES THE DEGREE TO WHICH THE
discomfort, invasion and risk for the client. NURSING PROCESS HAS BEEN SUCCESSFUL.

•The nurse never does for the client what he can safely EVALUATION MEANS WE REASSESS AT EACH STEP TO
and capably do for himself. (We’re not taking them to ASSURE EFFECTIVENESS AND ACCURACY.
raise; we’re usually trying to return them to their life.)
Common evaluation outcomes:
THE LAST STEP IN INTERVENTION IS TO ACCURATELY
1. Client responded as expected, problem is solved,
DOCUMENT IT!!!
goals effective
•Nursing interventions require intellectual,
2. Client’s problem has not been resolved, even though
interpersonal and technical skills.
expected outcomes were accomplished. Re-evaluate,
•Intellectual skills required of the nurse include: make new problem solving goals.
problem identification, and problem solving, critical
3.Client’s problem has not been resolved and has,in
thinking, and the ability to make sound judgments.
fact, worsened. Replanning is urgently needed.
•A strong theoretical background is necessary for these
4. Client has manifested a new problem; nursing
intellectual skills!
process begins all over again.
•Interpersonal skills used during nursing intervention
MODULE 1 : lesson 3
include: communicating, listening, conveying interest,
compassion, empathy, and TLC. These skills are FIVE KEY PHASES OF HEALTH ASSESSMENT
invaluable in establishing rapport and building a
therapeutic relationship. 1. Collecting data

2. Validating (verifying) data

 NURSING CARE MANAGEMENT 101
3. Organizing data SUBJECTIVE VS. OBJECTIVE

4. Analyze the data SUBJECTIVE OBJECTIVE

5. Identifying patterns/testing first impressions “symptoms” “signs”

6. Reporting and recording data

COLLECTING DATA: “I feel like my heart is PR 120 bpm, regular,

racing.” strong
Subjective and Objective data
Supports the subjective
– Aids critical thinking because each complements and
data
clarifies the other.
Confirms what the
– Subjective data – what the person states verbally or in
person is stating
writing
INFERENCES AND CUES
- Objective data – what you observe
CUES INFERENCE
S – S: Subjective = Stated
• data that prompt you • the conclusion drawn
O – O: Objective = Observed
to get an initial about the cue
COLLECTING SUBJECTIVE DATA impression about
• the nurse
patterns of health or
subjective data are data that are elicited and verified interpretation or
illness
only by the client
conclusion based on the
• subjective or objective
obtained through interviewing cues
data
Includes complete health history

COMPLETE HEALTH HISTORY Infected wound

red, swollen wound
Biographical data noted Dehydrated
Reasons for seeking Health Care/Chief Complaint Sunken eyeballs noted

History of: VALIDATION OF DATA:

present illness past health history • a crucial part of assessment that often occurs along
with collection of subjective and objective data
current medications lifestyle
• the act of “double-checking” or verifying data to
developmental level psychosocial history
confirm that it is accurate and complete
COLLECTING OBJECTIVE DATA
PURPOSE OF VALIDATING DATA
Data include:
• ensure that data collection is complete
Physical Characteristics Body functions
• ensure that objective and subjective data agree
Appearance Behavior
• obtain additional data that may have been overlooked
Measurement Results of laboratory testing
• avoid jumping to conclusion

• differentiate cues and inferences

VALIDATING
 NURSING CARE MANAGEMENT 101
Helps avoid: o Clustering data according to body systems – helps to
identify data that may indicate medical problems.
– Making assumptions
Note: It is important to do both in order to facilitate
– Missing pertinent information
recognition of both possible nursing problems and
– Misunderstanding situations medical problems.

– Jumping to conclusions or focusing in the wrong If you cluster data according to body system only, you
direction are likely to miss key information that helps you
identify nursing diagnoses
– Making errors in problem identification
ASSESSMENT TOOLS
GUIDELINES IN VALIDATION
▪ Gordon’s Functional Health Patterns
Data that can be measured accurately can be
accepted as factual (e.g. height, weight, laboratory ▪ Katz Index of Independence – Barthel Index
study results
▪ Newborn APGAR Scoring System Infants and Children
Data that someone else observes (indirect data) may – MMDST
or may not be true.
GORDON’S FUNCTIONAL HEALTH PATTERN
When the information is critical, verify it by directly
• Health perception-health management pattern.
observing and interviewing the patient yourself.
• Nutritional-metabolic pattern
Validate questionable information by using the
following techniques, as appropriate: • Elimination pattern

Double-check that your equipment is working correctly • Activity-exercise pattern

Recheck your own data (e.g. take a client’s BP in the • Sleep-rest pattern
opposite arm or 10 min later)
• Cognitive-perceptual pattern
Look for factors that may alter accuracy
• Self-perception-concept pattern
Ask someone else, preferably an expert, to collect the
• Role-relationship pattern
same data
• Sexuality-reproductive pattern
ORGANIZING (clustering) OF DATA:
• Coping-stress tolerance pattern
• Clustering the data together is a critical thinking
principle that enhances your ability to get a clear • Value-belief pattern
picture of the client’s health status.
ANALYZING OF DATA:
WAYS TO CLUSTER DATA
compare data against standard and identify significant
Clustering data according to a nursing model. cues. Standard/norm are generally accepted
measurements, model, pattern
Helps to identify nursing diagnoses and problems.
Ex: Normal vital signs, standard Weight and Height,
• Henderson’s Components of Nursing Care
normal laboratory/diagnostic values, normal growth
• Gordon’s Functional Health Patterns and development pattern

• NANDA’s human response patterns IDENTIFYING PATTERNS/TESTING FIRST IMPRESSIONS:

• Maslow’s theories After clustering data into groups of related information

WAYS TO CLUSTER DATA

 NURSING CARE MANAGEMENT 101
• You get some initial impressions of patterns of human or sick, you will know you need to do something (or
functioning. stop doing something).

• But you must test these impressions and decide if the When you do something that hurts your body, your
patterns really are as they appear brain normally triggers the pain response. If you touch
something hot, the pain you feel is your body’s way of
Testing first impressions involves – deciding what’s
telling you that you should stop touching the hot item
relevant, making tentative decisions about what the
and should take action to cool the skin. If you walk on
data may suggest, focusing assessment to gain more
an injured ankle and it hurts, that’s also your body
information to fully understand the situations at hand
telling you to stop.
REPORTING AND RECORDING DATA
5 COMMON TYPES OF PAIN
• Reporting abnormal data in a timely fashion expedites
ACUTE PAIN CHRONIC PAIN NEUROPATHIC
diagnosis and treatment of urgent problems
PAIN NOCICEPTIVE PAIN RADICULAR PAIN
• Recording data in a timely fashion promotes
ACUTE PAIN- means the pain is short in duration
continuity, accuracy, and critical thinking
(relatively speaking), lasting from minutes to about
DOCUMENTATION OF DATA three months (sometimes up to six months). Acute pain
also tends to be related to a soft-tissue injury or a
The nurse records all data collected about the client’s temporary illness, so it typically subsides after the injury
health status heals or the illness subsides. Acute pain from an injury
• data are recorded in a factual manner not as may evolve into chronic pain if the injury doesn’t heal
interpreted by the nurse correctly or if the pain signals malfunction.

• record subjective data in client’s word; restating in CHRONIC PAIN- is longer in duration. It can be constant
other words what client says might change its original or intermittent. For example, headaches can be
meaning. considered chronic pain when they continue over many
months or years – even if the pain isn’t always present.
use anatomic landmarks in descriptions Chronic pain is often due to a health condition, like
Ex: 11⁄2 x 2 1⁄2 wound located 2 1⁄2 inches below the arthritis, fibromyalgia, or a spine condition.
umbilicus at the MCL NEUROPATHIC PAIN- is due to damage to the nerves or
END RESULTS OF ASSESSMENT other parts of the nervous system. It is often described
as shooting, stabbing, or burning pain, or it feels like
formulation of nursing diagnoses (wellness, risk, or pins and needles. It can also affect sensitivity to touch
actual) that require nursing care, and can make someone have difficulty feeling hot or
cold sensations. Neuropathic pain is a common type of
the identification of collaborative problems that
chronic pain. It may be intermittent (meaning it comes
require interdisciplinary care, and
and goes), and it can be so severe that it makes
the identification of medical problems that require performing everyday tasks difficult. Because the pain
immediate referral can interfere with normal movement, it can also lead to
mobility issues.
MODULE 1 : lesson 4-1
NOCICEPTIVE PAIN- is a type of pain caused by damage
WHAT IS PAIN?
to body tissue. People often describe it as being a sharp,
Medically speaking, pain is an uncomfortable sensation achy, or throbbing pain. It’s often caused by an external
that usually signals an injury or illness. Generally injury. For example, if you hit your elbow, stub your toe,
speaking, pain is the body’s way of telling you twist your ankle, or fall and scrape up your knee, you
something isn’t right. This is the purpose of pain. It is may feel nociceptive pain. This type of pain is often
meant to make you uncomfortable so if you are injured
 NURSING CARE MANAGEMENT 101
experienced in the joints, muscles, skin, tendons, and What were you doing when the pain started? What
bones. It can be both acute and chronic. caused it? What

RADICULAR PAIN- is a very specific type of pain can makes it better or worse? What seems to trigger it?
occur when the spinal nerve gets compressed or Stress? Position? Certain activities?
inflamed. It radiates from the back and hip into the
What relieves it? Medications, massage, heat/cold,
leg(s) by way of the spine and spinal nerve root. People
changing position, being active, resting?
who have radicular pain may experience tingling,
numbness, and muscle weakness. Pain that radiates What aggravates it? Movement, bending, lying down,
from the back and into the leg is called radiculopathy. walking, standing?
It’s commonly known as sciatica because the pain is due
to the sciatic nerve being affected. This type of pain is QUALITY/ QUANTITY
often steady, and people can feel it deep in the leg. What does it feel like? Use words to describe the pain
Walking, sitting, and some other activities can make such as sharp, dull, stabbing, burning, crushing,
sciatica worse. It is one of the most common forms of throbbing, nauseating, shooting, twisting or stretching.
radicular pain.
REGION/RADIATION
PAIN ASSESSMENT
Where is the pain located? Does the pain radiate?
It is an evaluation of the reported pain and the factors
that alleviate it, as well as the response to treatment of Where? Does it feel like it travels/moves around? Did it
pain. Response to pain vary among individuals, start elsewhere and is now localized to one spot?
depending on many different physical and psychological SEVERITY SCALE
factors such as disease and injuries and the health, pain
threshold fear, anxiety and cultural background of the How severe is the pain on a scale of 0 to 10, with zero
individual involved, as well as the way the person being no pain and 10 being the worst pain ever? Does it
expresses pain experiences. interfere with activities? How bad is it at its worst? Does
it force you to sit down, lie down, slow down? How long
COMPLETE PAIN ASSESSMENT does an episode last?
1. Location of pain. 2. Pain intensity. TIMING
3. Character or quality of pain When/at what time did the pain start? How long did it
4. Onset, Duration, Variation, rhythms last? How often does it occur: hourly? daily? weekly?
monthly? Is it sudden or gradual? What were you doing
5. Alleviating factors 6. Aggravating factors when you first experienced it? When do you usually
7. Impact of pain on quality and daily functioning experience it: daytime? night? early morning? Are you
ever awakened by it? Does it lead to anything else? Is it
METHODS IN PAIN ASSESSMENT accompanied by other signs and symptoms? Does it
ever occur before, during or after meals? Does it occur
• PQRST METHOD
seasonally?
Since pain is subjective, self-report is considered the
DOCUMENTATION
Gold Standard and most accurate measure of pain. The
PQRST method of assessing pain is a valuable tool to In addition to facilitating accurate pain assessment,
accurately describe, assess and document a patient’s careful and complete documentation demonstrates that
pain. The method also aids in the selection of you are taking all the proper steps to ensure that your
appropriate pain medication and evaluating the patients receive the highest quality pain management.
response to treatment. It is important to document the following:
PROVOCATION/PALLIATION
 NURSING CARE MANAGEMENT 101
•Patient’s understanding of the pain scale. Describe • Non-pharmacologic
the patient’s ability to assess pain level using the 0-10
Heat or cold – use ice packs immediately after an injury
pain scale.
to reduce swelling. Heat packs are better for relieving
•Patient satisfaction with pain level with current chronic muscle or joint injuries.
treatment modality. Ask the patient what his or her
Physical therapies – such as walking, stretching,
pain level was prior to taking pain medication and after
strengthening or aerobic exercises may help reduce
taking pain medication. If the patient’s pain level is not
pain, keep you mobile and improve your mood. You
acceptable, what interventions were taken?
may need to increase your exercise very slowly to avoid
•Timely re-assessment following any intervention and over-doing it.
response to treatment. Quote the patient’s response.
NON-PHARMACOLOGIC MANAGEMENT OF PAIN
•Communication with the physician. Always report any
Massage – this is another physical therapy; it is better
change in condition.

•Patient education provided and the patient’s

response to learning. Don’t write “patient understands”
without a supportive evaluation such as patient can
verbalize, demonstrate, describe, etc.

METHODS IN PAIN ASSESSMENT

COLDSPA

•C: Character •O: Onset •L: Location •D: Duration

•S: Severity •P: Pattern •A: Associated Factors suited to soft tissue injuries and should be avoided if the
pain is in the joints. There is some evidence that
METHODS IN PAIN ASSESSMENT
suggests massage may help manage pain, but it is not
• ACES SCALE recommended as a long-term therapy.

The FACES scale is a visual tool for assessing pain with Meditation and yoga – relaxation and stress
children and others who cannot quantify the severity of management.
their pain on a scale of 0 to 10.
Cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) – this form of
psychological therapy can help you learn to change how
you think and, in turn, how you feel and behave about
pain. This is a valuable strategy for learning to self
manage chronic pain.

Pharmacologic

Paracetamol – often recommended as the first

medicine to relieve short-term pain.
METHODS IN PAIN ASSESSMENT
Aspirin – for short-term relief of fever and mild-to-
• FLACC SCALE
moderate pain (such as period or headache).
The FLACC scale (Face, Legs, Activity, Cry, Consolability
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such
scale) is a measurement used to assess pain for children
as ibuprofen – these medicines relieve pain and reduce
between the ages of 2 months and 7 years or individuals
inflammation (redness and swelling).
who are unable to verbally communicate their pain.

MANAGEMENT OF PAIN
 NURSING CARE MANAGEMENT 101
Opioid medicines, such as codeine, morphine and
oxycodone – these medicines are reserved for severe or
cancer pain.

Local anaesthetics (drops, sprays, creams or injections)

– used when nerves can be easily reached.

Some antidepressants and anti-epilepsy medicines –

used for a specific type of pain, called nerve pain.